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Prawny |
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Prawny Nitrous Nuisance
Joined: 22 Jun 2019 Karma :
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 02:05 - 09 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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Being unable to see where the fuck you're going in the dark, cold and wet is totally normal on a motorcycle. Even with illegally powerful lights.
Observe distant leading and oncoming car headlights to determine where the road is going. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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yen_powell |
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yen_powell World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Karma :
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barrkel |
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barrkel World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 21:02 - 09 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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Make sure your headlight is aimed appropriately. My MOT place wants my headlight a bit further up the road than I like it when riding in the dark, I generally prefer it lighting up the road I'm on and not going as fast. You could try adjusting the headlight angle a bit downwards (but not too much or you won't see bends etc. up ahead), might give more clue on the verge.
It won't help much on a scooter, but motorcycles generally have a trigger to flash the high beams on. It's most useful in corners when the bike banks over and you want a bit more height on the beam temporarily. Scooters I've ridden can flash the lights, but it's more of a stretch for the thumb than a pull of the forefinger.
Consider slowing down and inferring the location of the verge from clues; often, the oncoming vehicle's headlights create shadows that can help. If you're totally blinded, it's safer to be going slower anyhow. ____________________ Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ |
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Nobby the Bastard |
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Nobby the Bastard Harley Gaydar
Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :
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Kawasaki Jimbo |
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Kawasaki Jimbo World Chat Champion
Joined: 09 Oct 2015 Karma :
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :
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WreckTangle |
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WreckTangle Scooby Slapper
Joined: 21 Oct 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 09:10 - 10 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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As well as getting another bulb, another suggestion would be in the winter months, don't forget to carry a spare bulb!!
If you loose a bulb on a car, you have the other light to use, if your bulb goes on a bike..........it gets very dark very suddenly
I learn the hard way when I was going down a country road at 60 at night and the bulb at the front died, and it got very dark very suddenly.......When I was travelling at 60 mph ____________________ My wife asked me to get her something that goes from 0-100 in under 5 seconds for her birthday. ......................I got her a bathroom scale. |
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doggone |
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doggone World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :
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Posted: 10:13 - 10 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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In a slightly different vein, make sure you have decent gear on.
Getting cold and wet when riding gets you down so quickly. Concentration goes, reactions slow down and you feel like shit.
Many years ago on a Z650 going from London to Stockport I was soaked through and freezing by the time I got to Watford Gap services. I pulled in and a copper pulled in behind me to tell me my riding was terrible. Too close to other cars, wandering about in the lane. Told me to go get warmed up and take it one services at a time.
Ever since then I've used all the aids for keeping warm.
As far as bad lighting goes, an early Fazer 600 takes the biscuit for utter sh1t lighting. Don't get one of those. ____________________ Triumph Trophy Launch Edition |
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defblade |
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defblade World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Karma :
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Posted: 11:23 - 10 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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If you're totally blinded by an oncoming car, steer somewhat towards them (not directly at them!!!) - they are on the road, you are on the road, all that's between you and them is... empty road.
And get a completely illegal HID bulb upgrade if your bike will take it at all, swap back for MOT. ____________________ Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp |
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ThunderGuts |
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ThunderGuts World Chat Champion
Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Prawny |
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Prawny Nitrous Nuisance
Joined: 22 Jun 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 13:08 - 11 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies so far.
To address a few - I’m lumbered with these roads, there is one alternative but it’s still unlit, slightly busier and higher speed with farm access off so potential for mud on the road, don’t really like that way in the light and it’s horrible in the dark, I’ll only use that on frosty mornings, night time no way.
We’ve only got one car, averting a second would be too much cash, I’ve cycled today so I’ll see what that is like in the dark, I’ve got no issue covering my bike in lights so it might be the best option for bad weather.
Aux lights is a consideration, but I’m not sure the scooter will take them, plus I’m not sure I’m willing to spend the money on it, I’m going to do my direct access in the new year and get something more sensible so I don’t want to spend much on this. Also I’m not sure the electrics would take the additional load.
Does rain-x work? And how often should it be reapplied? I used to use it on my car but it’s a ball ache on a massive screen, visor shouldn’t be too much work. ____________________ Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 13:28 - 11 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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I faced the same sort of issue on the old Keeway but fitting a "Daymaker" LED headlamp made the world of difference. You really don't appreciate how dark it is out in the sticks when you're used to mainly town and city travel
I had no problems getting the Keeyway through an MoT but is there ever a major issue with how bright the light is if it's aimed correctly? ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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ThunderGuts |
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ThunderGuts World Chat Champion
Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :
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BTTD |
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BTTD World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
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ThatDippyTwat |
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ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Karma :
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Prawny |
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Prawny Nitrous Nuisance
Joined: 22 Jun 2019 Karma :
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ThatDippyTwat |
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ThatDippyTwat World Chat Champion
Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Karma :
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Easy-X |
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Easy-X Super Spammer
Joined: 08 Mar 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 17:22 - 11 Nov 2019 Post subject: |
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Tap "Daymaker" into eBay and you'll turn something up
What you'll find - just to confuse you! - is headlamps and spotlamps; careful which one you get! (The former, obviously.) And then there's 5 3/4" or 7" so get the appropriate size...
What they are is a complete glass, lamp and reflector replacement. You keep the headlamp shell. I found I had to make some adjustments of the clamp, YMMV.
Also note they have massive heatsink on the back so if you have a stack of existing electrical connectors and relays stashed in the back of your headlamp you may have to either dramatically rearrange things or even, as I did, relocate the mess elsewhere (I hid it all under the fuel tank.)
<addendum> scooter maybe a daymaker isn't appropriate. Any photos of your vehicle? ____________________ Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter |
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Copycat73 |
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Copycat73 World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :
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WD Forte |
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WD Forte World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 4 years, 167 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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